Mental health of the elderly in times of pandemic: a literature review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the literature on the mental health of the elderly in times of a pandemic. Bibliographic review: Aging causes physiological changes that culminate in increased susceptibility to diseases that can lead to impairment of cognitive and physical abilities. In this context, the social isolation necessary to control the pandemic together with stress, grief, fear of death and illness, financial losses added to the inherent challenges of aging are risk factors for the mental illness of the elderly in times of crisis. pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the household composition of the elderly is a risk that is independent of conformation. Elderly people who live alone are more exposed to loneliness. Those who live with other people are more at risk of being infected. The most common disorders in this context are depression and anxiety that can lead to suicide. Final considerations: In this sense, it is essential to socially integrate the elderly through the digital environment, to reduce the exposure of these individuals to the news of the pandemic and to encourage the practice of physical activities even at home and remotely in order to mitigate the psychological effects of the pandemic on the elderly.